Social Security Online Verification (SSOLV) Project Update - February 2008
A critical responsibility of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is maintaining accurate, updated and secure personal records for millions of Hoosiers. Identity credentials issued by the BMV are used for important purposes and all available means must be utilized to assure validity.
Background
- Indiana law requires the BMV to collect a Social Security number (SSN) for any customer holding an Indiana driver license, permit, or ID card. Indiana law also requires legal names and current street addresses be provided for those transactions.
- In the past, customer SSN’s were verified through a third-party vendor. Beginning November 7, 2007 the BMV joined 47 other states to utilize a direct online verification process offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Since November 7, approximately 3,200 new customers have been denied a driver license or identification card because their information could not be verified.
- To update and ensure validity of the existing 6.4 million records in the BMV database, these records were “scrubbed” against the SSA database. Matches were based on SSNs, names, birth dates and gender. Of the 6.4 million records, 97% had perfect matches, with only 3% (206,089 records) needing some reconciliation.
Outreach to Affected Customers
- On Nov. 6, 2007 the BMV began mailing letters informing individuals that certain information in their BMV records did not match the information on file with SSA. They were provided three secure ways to update personal information: online, by mail, or by visiting a license branch. The letters requested that recipients update their personal information within 30 days.
- The first week in January 2008, a second reminder letter was sent to those who had not yet resolved the inconsistencies in their records. This letter noted a deadline of Jan. 31, 2008.
- Thousands of customers have been assisted through this process by contacting the BMV by e-mail, by telephone, or by visiting a license branch. More than 50,000 were able to successfully update their records without visiting a branch by using our web tool or mail-in option. Many requested and received a 60-day extension to update information because they are awaiting needed documentation.
- Given the potential impact on their livelihoods, an additional notice is being sent, certified mail, to the approximately 380 commercial driver licenses holders who have not yet verified their information.
- The BMV has accepted four invitations to attend community meetings to answer questions about the process. Meetings have been held in Columbus, Lafayette, Ft. Wayne, and South Bend. Other community outreach efforts will be coordinated through advocacy groups.
- Updated information about the verification process will be posted on the BMV Web site at www.mybmv.IN.gov/.
Verification Update as of February 14, 2008
- A final “scrub” of the BMV database against SSA records occurred the week of Feb. 4.
- Of the 206,089 records requiring reconciliation, 160,158 were tied to Driver License holders and the remainder to Identification Card holders.
- Of the 160,158:
- 966 received an extension while awaiting needed documents and were issued temporary credentials.
- 26,356 have either moved out of state (5,848), are deceased (445), or let records expire (20,063).
- 15,539 have driving privileges that are currently suspended. In these cases, to reinstate, routine BMV reinstatement fees and requirements apply, along with the needed identity documents.
- 32,548 remaining customers have not updated their information and are subject to invalidation. Nearly 90 percent of these customers fell into one of two categories: either their name or their SSN did not match SSA’s records.
Next Steps
- Notices of invalidation will be mailed to the 33,353 customers whose BMV records do not match SSA information. Notices will be mailed in batches.
- Affected customers may continue to visit a branch with requested identity documents to update data and reinstate driver license or ID card. Some require a visit to SSA before visiting a branch.
- Consistent with current policy when invalidating a credential, affected customers may request a hearing to appeal the invalidation by contacting the BMV within 18 days of the date of the notice.
- There is no fee to reinstate or revalidate a credential, unless the customer is otherwise suspended or invalidated for unrelated reasons.
- If an individual using an invalidated driver license is stopped by law enforcement, the individual will be cited for driving without a valid license and may have credential confiscated. If this occurs, the routine BMV reinstatement fees and requirements apply.
